Plate member shearing apparatus, method for shearing plate member, and sheared piece of plate member

ABSTRACT

A shearing apparatus ( 1 ) for shearing a plate member ( 2 ) is provided with a pair of shearing rollers ( 20, 20 ) opposed with each other. These shearing rollers ( 20, 20 ) are rotated in opposite directions in a state that the plate member ( 2 ) in pinched by and between peripheral surfaces of these shearing rollers ( 20,20 ). These shearing rollers ( 20, 20 ) are provided with at least one pair of shearing portions ( 21, 21 ) to be engaged with each other to shear the plate member ( 2 ). These shearing portions ( 21, 21 ) are formed on the peripheral surfaces and extend in an axial direction of the roller ( 20, 20 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 of PCT/JP02/02919 filed on Mar. 26, 2002,which is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/302,707 filed on Jul. 5, 2001, and the present application inturn claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-95551 filedon Mar. 29, 2001, the entire contents of each of the above-noted relateddocuments hereby being incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a plate member shearing apparatus, amethod for shearing a plate member and a sheared piece of the platemember. More particularly, the present invention relates to a platemember shearing apparatus suitably used for shearing a long belt-shapedplate member into a predetermined length, a method for shearing theplate member and a sheared piece of the plate member obtained byshearing the plate member by the shearing method.

BACKGROUND ART

As a plate member shearing apparatus for shearing a long belt-shapedplate member into a predetermined length, the so-called flying shear iswidely used.

As a conventional flying shear, there are two types, a single shearingtype and a double shearing type. In a single shearing type flying shear,a single shearing blade shears a long plate member into a predeterminedlength while moving the plate member in the longitudinal directionthereof. On the other hand, in the double shearing type flying shear, apair of shearing blades disposed at a certain distance in the travelingdirection of a long plate member shear the plate member into apredetermined length while moving the plate member.

However, according to the single shearing type flying shear, since thetraveling speed of the plate member fluctuates slightly, the shearinglength of the plate member changes due to the fluctuations of thetraveling speed. Therefore, it was difficult to shear the plate memberinto a predetermined length.

On the other hand, according to the double shearing type flying shear,since the plate member is sheared in a state that the tip portionthereof remains, the remaining piece (the so-called scrap) is generatedat the tip portion of the plate member whenever the plate member issheared. Accordingly, the yielding efficiency of the sheared piece islow.

Furthermore, in such a flying shear, since a forwarding operation of theplate member is performed only by an electric controller, there is alimitation in improving the shearing speed.

The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned technicalbackground, and aims to provide a plate member shearing apparatus highin yielding efficiency of a sheared piece and capable of shearing aplate member into a uniform length, a method for shearing a plate memberand a sheared piece of a plate member.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following preferred embodiments.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a shearingapparatus for shearing a plate member includes a pair of shearingrollers for shearing a plate member into a predetermined length whilepassing the plate member between the pair of shearing rollers, whereinthe pair of shearing rollers are rotated in opposite directions in astate that the plate member is pinched by and between the pair ofshearing rollers, and wherein the pair of shearing rollers are providedwith at least one pair of shearing portions to be engaged with eachother to shear the plate member, the shearing portions being formed onperipheral surfaces of the pair of shearing rollers and extending in anaxial direction of each of the pair of shearing rollers.

According to this flying shear, the plate member is pinched by andbetween the pair of shearing rollers rotating in opposite directions.Then, in this pinched state, the plate member is moved in accordancewith the rotation of both the shearing rollers and then sheared into apredetermined length by the pair of shearing portions formed on theperipheral surfaces of the shearing rollers and engaged with each other.

Since the plate member is moved and sheared in accordance with therotation of both the shearing rollers in the state that the plate memberis pinched by and between both the shearing rollers, in cases where apair of shearing portions are provided on the peripheral surfaces of theshearing rollers, the plate member is sheared into a lengthcorresponding to the circumferential length of the shearing roller.Accordingly, the plate member is sheared into a uniform length. On theother hand, in cases where plural pairs of shearing portions areprovided on the peripheral surfaces of the shearing rollers at certaincircumferential intervals, the plate member is sheared into a lengthcorresponding to the circumferential length between one of shearingportion on the peripheral surface of the shearing roller and a shearingportion adjacent to the aforementioned one of shearing portion andlocated in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of theshearing roller. As a result, the plate member is sheared into a uniformlength.

With this shearing apparatus, the plate member can be sheared withoutproducing a remaining piece, and therefore it is possible to increasethe number of the sheared pieces to be obtained from the plate member.Furthermore, since the shearing speed of the plate member is determinedby the rotation speed of the shearing rollers (namely, thecircumferential speed of the shearing rollers), the shearing speed canbe easily increased by increasing the rotation speed of the shearingrollers.

Furthermore, it becomes unnecessary to use a feeding apparatus forfeeding the plate member to the shearing rollers, or it becomes possibleto feed the plate member by a feeding apparatus which is simple instructure. As a result, the structure of the shearing apparatus can besimplified.

In cases where plural pairs of shearing portions are formed on theperipheral surfaces of the shearing rollers at certain intervals alongthe circumferential direction thereof, one rotation makes the pluralsheared pieces. Accordingly, the plate member can be shearedefficiently, which in turn can further increase the shearing speed.

In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable that theplate member is provided with a groove or a ridge extending in atraveling direction of the plate member on at least one of surfaces ofthe plate member, wherein one of the pair of shearing rollers disposedat a side of the groove or the ridge of the plate member is providedwith a ridge or a groove on the peripheral surface thereof, and whereinthe ridge or the groove of the one of the pair of shearing rollersextends in a circumferential direction thereof so as to be engaged withthe groove or the ridge of the plate member.

In this case, the plate member is pinched by and between both theshearing rollers in the state in which the ridge or the groove formed onone side or both sides of the plate member is engaged with the groove orthe ridge formed on the peripheral surfaces of the shearing rollers.Then, in this pinched state, the plate member is moved in accordancewith the rotation of the shearing rollers and sheared by the shearingportions. Accordingly, with this flying shear, even if a plate memberhas a groove or a ridge formed on one side or both sides thereof, theplate member can be pinched by and between the shearing rollers withoutcausing any deformation of the groove or the ridge. Accordingly, it ispossible to assuredly prevent the slippage of the plate member which maybe caused at the peripheral surfaces of the shearing rollers, andtherefore the plate member can be assuredly sheared into a uniformlength.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the ridge or the groove of the one ofthe pair of shearing rollers extends to a shearing face of the shearingportion. In this case, deformation of the shearing portions which may becaused at the time of shearing a plate member can be prevented orsuppressed. As a result, the plate member can be sheared without causingalmost any deformation of the shearing portions.

According to the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is possible toassuredly shear a plate member having a thickness of 0.15 mm or less.

In the shearing apparatus, it is preferable that at least one of thepair of shearing rollers is provided with a stepped portion extending inthe axial direction on the peripheral surface, and wherein a rising faceand a protruded edge of the stepped portion constitute a shearing faceand a shearing edge, respectively. In this case, it becomes unnecessaryto attach a cutter as the shearing portion on the peripheral surfaces ofthe shearing rollers, and therefore the structure of the shearingrollers can be simplified. Accordingly, it becomes possible to easilymanufacture the shearing rollers at low cost.

In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable that at leastone of the pair of shearing rollers is constituted by a plurality ofdivided members assembled with each other, each of the plurality ofdivided members having a dividing face in alignment with a shearing faceof the shearing portion. In this case, the structure of the shearingrollers can be further simplified, and it becomes possible tomanufacture the shearing rollers more easily and cheaply. Although meansfor fixing the divided members is not limited to specific means, it ispreferable to use fastening members such as a screw or a bolt.

In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable that at leasta portion of a shearing face near a shearing edge of the shearingportion of at least one of the pair of shearing rollers is curved towardthe shearing edge. In this case, the clearance between both shearingportions can be decreased at the time of the engagement of the shearingportions. Accordingly, burrs of the sheared portion which may begenerated at the time of shearing the plate member can be prevented orsuppressed, which enables to obtain a sheared piece with almost no burrat the sheared portion. It is especially preferable that theaforementioned portion of the shearing face is formed roundly along aninvolute curve or a parainvolute curve.

In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable that afeeding apparatus for feeding the plate member to the shearing rollersis disposed at an inlet side of the pair of shearing rollers. In thiscase, it becomes possible to automatically feed the plate member betweenthe shearing rollers, resulting in improved shearing operationefficiency of the plate member.

In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable that aforwarding apparatus for forwarding a sheared piece obtained by shearingthe plate member is disposed at an outlet side of the pair of shearingrollers. In this case, it becomes possible to automatically dischargethe sheared piece sheared by the shearing rollers. As a result, theshearing operation efficiency of the plate member can be improved.

In the aforementioned shearing apparatus, it is preferable that atransferring apparatus for transferring a sheared piece obtained byshearing the plate member to a stacker is disposed at an outlet side ofthe pair of shearing rollers. In this case, the sheared piece sheared bythe shearing rollers can be sent to the stacker efficiently.

The second aspect of the present invention is directed to a shearedplate member sheared by the shearing apparatus according to the firstaspect of the present invention. According to the second aspect of thepresent invention, it becomes possible to assuredly obtain a shearedpiece having a predetermined length.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a method ofshearing a plate member includes the steps of preparing a shearingapparatus equipped with a pair of shearing rollers, the pair of shearingrollers having at least one pair of shearing portions to be engaged witheach other, the shearing portions being formed on peripheral surfaces ofthe shearing rollers and extending in an axial direction of the shearingrollers, and shearing the plate member by engaging the pair of shearingportions in a state that the plate member is pinched by and between theshearing rollers rotating in opposite directions.

According to this method of shearing a plate member, the plate membercan be sheared into a uniform length. Furthermore, the shearing speedcan be increased easily by increasing the rotation speed of the shearingrollers, and the yielding efficiency of the sheared piece can be alsoincreased since the plate member is sheared without causing anyremaining piece. Furthermore, in cases where the shearing apparatus isprovided with plural pairs of shearing portions at certain intervals inthe circumferential direction, the plate member can be shearedefficiently, which enables to further increase the shearing speed.

In the aforementioned method of shearing a plate member, it ispreferable that the plate member is provided with a groove or a ridgeextending in a traveling direction of the plate member on at least oneof surfaces of the plate member, wherein one of the pair of shearingrollers disposed at a side of the groove or the ridge of the platemember is provided with a ridge or a groove on the peripheral surface,and wherein the ridge or the groove of the one of the pair of shearingrollers extends in a circumferential direction thereof so as to beengaged with the groove or the ridge of the plate, member.

In this case, even if a plate member has a groove or a ridge on one sideor both sides thereof, the plate member can be pinched by and betweenboth the shearing rollers without causing any deformation of the grooveor the ridge. Accordingly, it is possible to assuredly prevent theslippage of the plate member which may be caused at the peripheralsurfaces of the shearing rollers, and therefore the plate member can beassuredly sheared into a uniform length.

In the aforementioned method of shearing a plate member, it ispreferable that the ridge or the groove of the one of the pair ofshearing rollers extends to a shearing face of the shearing portion. Inthis case, it becomes possible to shear the plate member without causingany deformation of the shearing portion.

According to the aforementioned shearing method, even if the platemember has a thickness of 0.15 mm or less, it is possible to shear theplate member assuredly.

In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that at leastone of the pair of shearing rollers is provided with a stepped portionextending in an axial direction thereof on the peripheral surface, andwherein a rising face and a protruded edge of the stepped portionconstitute a shearing face and a shearing edge, respectively. In thiscase, the structure of the shearing rollers can be simplified, andtherefore it becomes possible to manufacture the shearing rollers easilyand economically.

In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that at leastone of the pair of shearing rollers is constituted by a plurality ofdivided members assembled with each other, each of the plurality ofdivided members having a dividing face in alignment with a shearing faceof the shearing portion. In this case, the structure of the shearingrollers can be further simplified, and therefore it becomes possible tomanufacture the shearing rollers more easily and economically.

In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that at least aportion of a shearing face near a shearing edge of the shearing portionof at least one of the pair of shearing rollers is curved toward theshearing edge. In this case, it becomes possible to prevent or suppressthe generation of burrs which may be generated at the time of shearing aplate member.

In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that the platemember is fed to the shearing rollers by a feeding apparatus disposed atan inlet side of the pair of shearing rollers. In this case, it becomespossible to automatically feed the plate member to the shearing rollers,and therefore the shearing operation efficiency of the plate member canbe improved.

In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that a shearedpiece is forwarded by a forwarding apparatus disposed at an outlet sideof the pair of shearing rollers. In this case, it becomes possible toautomatically discharge the sheared piece sheared by the shearingrollers. As a result, the shearing operation efficiency of the platemember can be improved.

In the aforementioned shearing method, it is preferable that a shearedpiece is transferred to a stacker by a transferring apparatus disposedat an outlet side of the pair of shearing rollers. In this case, itbecomes possible to forward the sheared piece sheared by the shearingrollers to the stacker efficiently.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to a shearedpiece obtained by shearing a plate member according to the third aspectof the present invention. According to the fourth aspect of the presentinvention, a sheared piece having a predetermined length can beobtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a shearing apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present invention in a state that a plate member ispinched by and between a pair of shearing rollers;

FIG. 2 is a plane view showing the shearing apparatus in the state shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the shearing apparatus which is shearing aplate member;

FIG. 4 is a plane view showing the shearing apparatus in the state shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the plate member;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 6—6 inFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the pair of shearing rollers in adetached state;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the portion A shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the portion B shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the pair of shearing rollersin a detached state; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of the shearing portions in a statethat the pair of shearing rollers are engaged with each other.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will be detailed with reference to the attacheddrawings.

In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus for shearing aplate member according to an embodiment, 2 denotes a plate member and 50denotes a stacker. The plate member 2 is a metal member, i.e., analuminum or its alloy member. The sheared piece 2 a obtained by shearingthe plate member 2 with the shearing apparatus 1 will be used as aninner fin. This inner fin is disposed in a heat exchanging tube of aheat exchanger such as an evaporator for use in car air-conditioners.This plate member 2 is a long belt-shaped member having a constantwidth. The width is, for example, 20 to 70 mm. Furthermore, thethickness of this plate member 2 is 0.15 mm or less. Accordingly, thisplate member 2 is an extremely thin member.

This plate member 2 is moved in the longitudinal direction thereof tothe shearing apparatus 1 with nearly horizontal position. This platemember 2 has a wavy cross-section as shown in FIG. 5. On the uppersurface of this plate member 2, a plurality of triangularcross-sectional ridges 3 each extending in the traveling direction(namely, in the longitudinal direction of the plate member) are formedin parallel with each other. On the lower surface of this plate member2, a plurality of triangular cross-sectional grooves 4 each extending inthe traveling direction (namely, in the longitudinal direction of theplate member) are formed in parallel with each other. This plate member2 is formed to have the aforementioned cross-sectional shape by theforming apparatus (not shown) disposed at the inlet side of the shearingapparatus 1.

The shearing apparatus 1 is a flying shear for shearing theaforementioned plate member 2 into a predetermined length whileforwarding the plate member 2 in the longitudinal direction thereof, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

This shearing apparatus 1 is equipped with a pair of upper and loweropposed shearing rollers 20 and 20 each having a nearly circularcross-section and opposed with each other. These shearing rollers 20 and20, i.e., the upper shearing roller 20 and the lower shearing roller 20have the same diameter.

Furthermore, in this shearing apparatus 1, at the inlet side of both theshearing rollers 20 and 20, a pair of upper and lower feeding rollers 10and 10 opposed each other as a feeding apparatus for feeding a platemember 2 to the shearing rollers 20 and 20 are disposed apart from theshearing rollers 20 and 20 by a predetermined distance L1. In both thefeeding rollers 10 and 10, the upper feeding roller 10 and the lowerfeeding roller 10 have the same diameter which is the same as thediameter of the shearing roller 20 and 20.

Furthermore, at the outlet side of both the shearing rollers 20 and 20,a pair of upper and lower forwarding rollers 30 and 30 opposed eachother as a forwarding apparatus for forwarding a sheared piece 2 a aredisposed apart from the shearing rollers 20 and 20 by a predetermineddistance L2. In both the forwarding rollers 30 and 30, the upperforwarding roller 30 and the lower forwarding roller 30 have the samediameter which is the same as the diameter of the shearing roller 20 and20.

Furthermore, at the outlet side of both the forwarding rollers 30 and30, a pair of upper and lower transferring rollers 40 and 40 opposedeach other as a transferring apparatus for transferring a sheared piece2 a to a stacker 50 are disposed apart from the forwarding rollers 30and 30 by a predetermined distance L3. In both the transferring rollers40 and 40, the upper transferring roller 40 and the lower transferringroller 40 have the same diameter.

The stacker 50 is provided with a platform 51 on which sheared pieces 2a are stacked and a columnar stopper 52 which stops a transferringmovement of the sheared piece 2 a. The platform 51 is arrangedapproximately horizontally and moves downward in accordance with thenumber of piled sheared pieces 2 a. The stopper 52 is disposedapproximately vertically at the front side of the platform 51 relativeto the transferring direction of the sheared piece 2 a.

In this shearing apparatus 1, both the shearing rollers 20 and 20 areconnected to a driving apparatus (not shown), and are rotated in theopposite directions by the driving apparatus. The feeding rollers 10 and10 are also connected to the aforementioned driving apparatus, and arerotated in the opposite directions at the same circumferential speed asthe circumferential speed of the shearing rollers 20 and 20.Furthermore, the forwarding rollers 30 and 30 are also connected to theaforementioned driving apparatus, and are rotated in the oppositedirections at the same circumferential speed as the circumferentialspeed of the shearing rollers 20 and 20. On the other hand, both thetransferring rollers 40 and 40 are connected to the aforementioneddriving apparatus, and are rotated in the opposite directions by thedriving apparatus. The transferring rollers 40 and 40 may be connectedto a driving apparatus other than the aforementioned driving apparatus.The transferring roller 40 and 40 are rotated at the samecircumferential speed as the circumferential speed of the shearingrollers 20 and 20. The transferring rollers 40 and 40 may be rotated ata circumferential speed higher than the circumferential speed of theshearing rollers 20 and 20 by 50%. By setting the circumferential speedas mentioned above, the sheared pieces 2 a can be stacked neatly in thestacker 50.

Next, the structure of the shearing rollers 20 and 20 will be explainedwith reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

On the peripheral surfaces of the pair of the shearing rollers 20 and20, plural pairs of upper and lower shearing portions 21 and 21 eachextending in the axial direction are provided so as to be engaged witheach other at certain circumferential intervals. In this embodiment, twopairs of the shearing portions 21 and 21 are provided. The pair ofshearing portions 21 and 21 are engaged with each other for shearing theplate member 2.

In each shearing roller 20, provided that one of two shearing portions21 and 21 is referred to as a first shearing portion 21 and the other asecond shearing portion 21, the circumferential length from the firstshearing portion 21 to the second shearing portion 21 in the rotationaldirection and the circumferential length from the second shearingportion 21 to the first shearing portion 21 in the rotational directionare the same. The circumferential length is represented by L0 (see FIG.1).

The reference numerals 21 a and 21 b denote a shearing face and ashearing edge of the shearing portion 21, respectively.

Each shearing rollers 20 and 20 are assembled as follows.

As shown in FIG. 10, each shearing roller 20 is formed by equallydividing a columnar member having a true round cross-section along aplane parallel to the axis into plural pieces, and then integrallyassembled and fixed by fastening members 27 in a state in which theplural pieces are shifted in the radial direction thereof. In thisembodiment, the columnar member is divided into two pieces. Thestructure of each shearing roller 20 will be explained concretely. Eachshearing roller 20 is divided into two pieces along a plane whichcoincides with the shearing face 21 a of the first shearing portion 21and the shearing face 21 a of the second shearing portion 21 and isparallel to the axial direction. These two divided pieces 26 and 26 areassembled and fixed with each other by the fastening members 27 in astate in which two divided pieces 26 and 26 are shifted each other inthe radial direction thereof. In this embodiment, screws are used as thefastening members 27. In FIG. 10, the reference numeral 28 denotes ascrew insertion hole formed in the periphery of the divided piece 26 atthe longitudinal end portion thereof. In the state that the two dividedpieces 26 and 26 are assembled as mentioned above, two stepped portion22 and 22 protruded radially outwardly from the peripheral surface ofthe shearing roller 20 are formed at certain intervals in, thecircumferential direction. The rising face 22 a and the protruded edge22 b of each stepped portion 22 constitute the shearing face 21 a andthe shearing edge 21 b of the shearing portion 21, respectively.

It is preferable that the level difference S (see FIG. 11) of eachstepped portion 22 falls within the range of from 0.3 to 1.0 mm becauseof the following reasons. If the level difference S is less than 0.3 mm,it becomes difficult to shear the plate member 2. On the other hand, ifthe level difference S exceeds 1.0 mm, it becomes difficult to pinch theplate member 2 by and between the peripheral surfaces of the shearingrollers 20 and 20.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the portion of the shearing face 21 aof the shearing portion 21 of each shearing roller 20 near the shearingedge 21 b is rounded toward the shearing edge 21 b along an involutecurve or a parainvolute curve. Thereby, the clearance C between theshearing portions 21 and 21 can become nearly zero at the time of theengagement of the shearing portions 21 and 21. In this embodiment, thepair of shearing portions 21 and 21 are engaged in a contacted state(namely, in a zero clearance C). In FIG. 11, for the explanationpurposes, the pair of shearing portions 21 and 21 are shown in adetached state. It is preferable that the inclination angle θ of theshearing face 21 a relative to the normal line of the peripheral surfaceof the shearing roller 20 is set so as to fall within the range of from3° to 8°.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, on the peripheral surfaces ofthe longitudinal middle portion of the upper shearing roller 20 betweentwo shearing portions 21 and 21, a plurality of grooves 23 which extendin the circumferential direction and are to be engaged with theplurality of ridges 3 formed on the upper surface of the plate member 2are formed along the entire area in the circumferential direction of theperiphery. Accordingly, these grooves 23 extend to the shearing face 21a of the shearing portion 21. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, onthe peripheral surfaces of the longitudinal middle portion of the lowershearing roller 20 between two shearing portions 21 and 21, a pluralityof ridges 24 which extend in the circumferential direction and are to beengaged with the plurality of grooves 4 formed on the lower surface ofthe plate member 2 are formed along the entire area in thecircumferential direction of the periphery. Accordingly, these ridges 24extend to the shearing face 21 a of the shearing portion 21.

Furthermore, in the feeding rollers 10 and 10, and the forwardingrollers 30 and 30 and the transferring rollers 40 and 40, on theperipheral surface of each upper roller 10, 30 and 40, as shown in FIG.2, a plurality of grooves 23 extending in the circumferential directionto be engaged with the plurality of ridges 3 formed on the upper surfaceof the plate member 2 are formed along the entire periphery. Similarly,on the peripheral surface of each lower roller 10, 30 and 40, aplurality of ridges 24 extending in the circumferential direction to beengaged with the plurality of grooves 4 formed on the lower surface ofthe plate member 2 are formed along the entire periphery.

In this shearing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable thatthe distance L1 between the rotation center of the shearing roller 20and that of the feeding roller 10 along the traveling direction of theplate member 2 falls within the range of from L0 to (L0-15) mm, morepreferably from L0 to (L0-10) mm. Similarly, it is preferable that thedistance L2 between the rotation center of the shearing roller 20 andthat of the forwarding roller 30 along the traveling direction of theplate member 2 falls within the range of from L0 to (L0-15) mm, morepreferably from L0 to (L0-10) mm. Similarly, it is preferable that thedistance L3 between the rotation center of the forwarding roller 30 andthat of the transferring roller 40 along the traveling direction of theplate member 2 falls within the range of from L0 to (L0-15) mm, morepreferably from L0 to (L0-5) mm.

Next, the operation and the handling method of the shearing apparatus 1will be explained.

First, the driving apparatus is activated, so that both the feedingrollers 10 and 10, both the shearing rollers 20 and 20, both theforwarding rollers 30 and 30 and both the transferring rollers 40 and 40are rotated in the opposite directions, respectively.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the longitudinal end portion of thehorizontally disposed plate member 2 is introduced between the feedingrollers 10 and 10 in a state in which the ridges 3 formed on the uppersurface of the plate member 2 are engaged with the grooves of theperipheral surface of the upper feeding roller 10 and the grooves 4formed on the lower surface of the plate member 2 are engaged with theridges of the peripheral surface of the lower feeding roller 10. As aresult, the plate member 2 is pinched by and between the peripheralsurfaces of the feeding rollers 10 and 10, and therefore the platemember 2 is fed to the shearing rollers 20 and 20.

As shown in FIG. 6, the plate member 2 fed in this way is introducedbetween the shearing rollers 20 and 20 in a state in which the ridges 3formed on the upper surface of the plate member 2 are engaged with thegrooves 23 of the peripheral surface of the upper shearing roller 20 andthe grooves 4 formed on the lower surface of the plate member 2 areengaged with the ridges 24 of the peripheral surface of the lowershearing roller 20. As a result, the plate member 2 is pinched by andbetween the peripheral surfaces of the feeding rollers 10 and 10 andmoved by the rotation driving force of the shearing rollers 20 and 20,and therefore the longitudinal end of the plate member 2 is fed to theforwarding rollers 30 and 30. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the platemember 2 is sheared into a predetermined length by engaging the pair ofshearing portions 21 and 21. The obtained sheared piece 2 a has a lengthof L0. Thus, the plate member 2 is continuously sheared into shearedpieces 2 a each having a length of L0 in accordance with the rotation ofthe shearing rollers 20 and 20. In this embodiment, since the shearingrollers 20 and 20 are provided with two pairs of shearing portions 21and 21 at the peripheries, two shearing pieces 2 a each having the samelength L0 can be obtained every one rotation.

Then, the sheared piece 2 a is introduced between the forwarding rollers30 and 30 in a state in which the ridges 3 formed on the upper surfaceof the sheared piece 2 a are engaged with the grooves of the peripheralsurface of the upper forwarding roller 30 and the grooves 4 formed onthe lower surface of the sheared piece 2 a are engaged with the ridgesof the peripheral surface of the lower forwarding roller 30. As aresult, the sheared piece 2 a is pinched by and between the peripheralsurfaces of the forwarding rollers 30 and 30 and transferred by therotation driving force of the forwarding rollers 30 and 30.

Then, the sheared piece 2 a is introduced between the transferringrollers 40 and 40 in a state in which the ridges 3 formed on the uppersurface of the sheared piece 2 a are engaged with the grooves of theperipheral surface of the upper transferring roller 40 and the grooves 4formed on the lower surface of the sheared piece 2 a are engaged withthe ridges of the peripheral surface of the lower transferring roller40. As a result, the sheared piece 2 a is pinched by and between theperipheral surfaces of the transferring rollers 40 and 40 andtransferred to the stacker 50 by the rotation driving force of thetransferring rollers 40 and 40. Then, the sheared piece 2 a is piled upon the platform 51 by the stacker 50.

In this embodiment, the distance L2 (see FIG. 1) between the rotationalcenter of the shearing roller 20 and that of the forwarding roller 30along the plate member traveling direction is set so as to fall withinthe range of from L0 to (L0-15) mm. Accordingly, when the sheared piece2 a is moved from the shearing rollers 20 to the forwarding rollers 30,the sheared piece 2 a is laid on both the shearing roller 20 and theforwarding roller 30. Furthermore, the distance L3 (see FIG. 1) betweenthe rotational center of the forwarding roller 30 and that of thetransferring roller 40 along the plate member traveling direction is setso as to fall within the range of from L0 to (L0-15) mm. Accordingly,when the sheared piece 2 a is moved from the forwarding rollers 30 tothe transferring rollers 40, the sheared piece 2 a is laid on both theforwarding roller 30 and the transferring roller 40. Accordingly, thesheared piece 2 a is smoothly transferred to the stacker 50 withoutfalling down from the shearing apparatus 1.

As a result, with this shearing apparatus 1 having the aforementionedstructure, since the plate member 2 is always sheared into the length L0to thereby obtain a sheared piece 2 a with a uniform length.Furthermore, since this shearing apparatus 1 can shear the plate member2 without causing a remaining piece, there is an advantage that theyielding efficiency of sheared piece 2 a is high.

Furthermore, since the shearing speed of the plate member 2 isdetermined by the rotation speed of the shearing rollers 20, theshearing speed can be increased by increasing the rotating speed of theshearing rollers 20. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as mentionedabove, since the shearing rollers 20 and 20 are provided with a pair ofshearing portions 21 and 21 on the peripheries thereof at intervals inthe circumferential direction, two sheared pieces 2 a and 2 a can beobtained every one rotation of the shearing roller 20. Accordingly, withthis shearing apparatus 1, the plate member 2 can be sheared atextremely high shearing speed.

Furthermore, in this shearing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 6, the platemember 2 is pinched by and between the shearing rollers 20 and 20 andmoved in a state in which the ridges 3 formed on the upper surface ofthe plate member 2 is engaged with the grooves 23 formed on theperipheral surface of the upper shearing roller 20 and the grooves 4formed on the lower surface of the plate member 2 is engaged with theridges 24 formed on the peripheral surface of the lower shearing roller20. Accordingly, with this shearing apparatus 1, even if the platemember 2 has grooves 3 and ridges 4 on both sides, the plate member 2can be firmly pinched by the peripheral surfaces of the shearing rollers20 and 20 without causing deformation of the grooves and ridges. As aresult, slippage of the plate member 2 which may be generated on theperipheral surface of the shearing rollers 20 can be preventedassuredly, and therefore it becomes possible to shear the plate member 2more assuredly into a uniform length.

Furthermore, in each shearing roller 20, since the grooves 23 and theridges 24 extend to the shearing face 21 a of the shearing portion 21,even if the plate member 2 is a thin member, the plate member 2 can besheared without causing any deformation of the shearing portion.Furthermore, as mentioned above, since it is constituted that theclearance C between the shearing portions 21 and 21 can be nearly zeroat the time of engagement of the shearing portions 21 and 21, generationof burrs which may be generated at the shearing portion can be preventedor suppressed, and therefore the sheared piece 2 a with an extremelybeautiful sheared portion can be obtained.

Furthermore, in this shearing rollers 20, since the rising face 22 a andthe protruded edge 22 b at the stepped portion 22 formed on theperipheral surface of the shearing roller constitute the shearing face21 a and the shearing edge 21 b of the shearing portion 21,respectively, it is not necessary to provide cutters as shearingportions to the peripheral surface of the shearing rollers 20 and 20.Accordingly, the structure of the shearing rollers 20 and 20 can besimplified, and the shearing rollers 20 and 20 can be manufacturedeasily and cheaply. Moreover, since the shearing roller 20 is comprisedof two divided members 26 and 26 equally divided at the dividing face 25which coincides with the shearing face 21 a of the shearing portion 21and fixed with each other, the structure of the shearing rollers 20 canbe further simplified, and the shearing roller 20 can be manufacturedmore easily and cheaply.

Furthermore, since this shearing apparatus 1 is equipped with thefeeding rollers 10 and the forwarding rollers 30, the plate member 2 canbe fed automatically and the sheared piece 2 a can be forwardedautomatically. In addition, since the transferring rollers 40 and 40 areprovided at the outlet side of the forwarding rollers 30 and 30 forforwarding the sheared piece 2 a to the stacker 50, the sheared piece 2a can be transferred to the stacker 50 efficiently.

Although the above explanation is directed to one embodiment of thepresent invention, the present invention is not limited to theaforementioned embodiment and may be changed variously.

For example, in the aforementioned embodiment, although two pairs ofshearing portions 21 and 21 are provided at a certain distance on theperipheral surfaces of the pair of shearing rollers 20 and 20, in thispresent invention, only one pair of shearing portion 21 and 21 may beprovided. Alternatively, three or four pairs of shearing portion 21 and21 may be provided.

The followings are a brief summary of the present invention.

With the shearing apparatus of the plate member according to the firstaspect of the present invention, the plate member can be sheared into auniform length. Furthermore, the plate member can be sheared withoutcausing any remaining piece. Furthermore, according to this shearingapparatus, since the shearing speed of the plate member can bedetermined by the rotation speed of the shearing rollers, by increasingthe rotation speed of the shearing rollers, the shearing speed can beincreased. Furthermore, since it is not always necessary to provide afeeding apparatus for feeding a plate member to the shearing rollers, orit is possible to feed the plate member with a simple feeding apparatus,the structure of the shearing apparatus can be simplified. Furthermore,in cases where plural pairs of shearing portions are provided atcircumferential intervals on the peripheral surfaces of the shearingrollers, the plural sheared pieces can be obtained by one rotation ofthe shearing roller. Accordingly, the plate member can be shearedefficiently, and the shearing speed can be further increased.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it becomespossible to assuredly obtain a sheared piece having a desired length.

With the shearing method of the plate member according to the thirdaspect of the present invention, the plate member can be sheared into auniform length, and the plate member can be sheared without causing anyremaining piece. Furthermore, by increasing the rotation speed of theshearing rollers, the shearing speed can be easily increased.Furthermore, in cases where plural pairs of shearing portions areprovided at circumferential intervals on the peripheral surfaces of theshearing rollers, the shearing member can be sheared efficiently, andtherefore the shearing speed can be further increased.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a sheared piecehaving a desired length can be obtained assuredly.

The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used asterms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intent, inthe use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any of theequivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, butit is recognized that various modifications are possible within thescope of the invention claimed

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The shearing apparatus of a plate member according to the first aspectof the present invention is useful as a shearing apparatus formanufacturing an inner fin to be inserted in a heat exchanging tube of aheat exchanger, or useful as a shearing apparatus for shearing a thinplate member.

The sheared piece of the plate member according to the second aspect ofthe present invention is useful as an inner fin to be inserted in a heatexchanging tube of a heat exchanger.

The method of shearing a plate member according to the third aspect ofthe present invention is useful as a shearing method which is used whenmanufacturing an inner fin to be inserted in a heat exchanging tube of aheat exchanger, or useful as a method for shearing a thin plate member.

The sheared piece of the plate member according to the fourth aspect ofthe present invention is useful as an inner fin to be inserted in a heatexchanging tube of a heat exchanger.

1. A shearing apparatus for shearing a plate member, comprising: a pairof shearing rollers configured to shear a plate member into apredetermined length while passing the plate member between said pair ofshearing rollers, wherein said pair of shearing rollers are rotated inopposite directions in a state that the plate member is pinched by andbetween said pair of shearing rollers, wherein said pair of shearingrollers include plural pairs of shearing portions to be engaged witheach other to shear the plate member, said plural pairs of shearingportions being formed on peripheral surfaces of said pair of shearingrollers and extending in an axial direction of each of said pair ofshearing rollers, wherein each of said pair of shearing rollers isconstituted by a plurality of divided members formed by dividing agenerally cylindrical member with a dividing surface passing an axis ofthe columnar member and integrally assembled overlapping with each otherwith said plurality of divided members shifted in a radial directionthereof, whereby each of said pair of shearing rollers is provided witha plurality of stepped portions each extending in said axial directionon said peripheral surface and arranged at intervals in a peripheraldirection thereof, and wherein a rising face and a protruded edge ofsaid stepped portion constitute a shearing face and a shearing edge,respectively.
 2. The shearing apparatus for shearing a plate member asrecited in claim 1, wherein the plate member is provided with one of agroove and a ridge extending in a moving direction of the plate memberon at least one of surfaces of the plate member, wherein one of saidpair of shearing rollers disposed at a side of one of the groove and theridge of the plate member is provided with one of a ridge and a grooveon said peripheral surface, and wherein one of said ridge and saidgroove of said one of said pair of shearing rollers extends in acircumferential direction thereof so as to be engaged with one of saidgroove and said ridge of the plate member.
 3. The shearing apparatus forshearing a plate member as recited in claim 2, wherein one of said ridgeand said groove of said one of said pair of shearing rollers extends toa shearing face of said shearing portion.
 4. The shearing apparatus forshearing a plate member as recited in claim 2, wherein a thickness ofthe plate member is 0.15 mm or less.
 5. The shearing apparatus forshearing a plate member as recited in claim 1, wherein at least aportion of a shearing face near a shearing edge of said shearing portionof at least one of said pair of shearing rollers is curved toward saidshearing edge.
 6. The shearing apparatus for shearing a plate member asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a feeding apparatus configured tofeed the plate member to said pair of shearing rollers, said feedingapparatus being disposed at an inlet side of said pair of shearingrollers.
 7. The shearing apparatus for shearing a plate member asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a forwarding apparatus configuredto forward a sheared member obtained by shearing the plate member, saidforwarding apparatus being disposed at an outlet side of said pair ofshearing rollers.
 8. The shearing apparatus for shearing a plate memberas recited in claim 1, further comprising a transferring apparatusconfigured to transfer a sheared member obtained by shearing the platemember to a stacker, said transferring apparatus being disposed at anoutlet side of said pair of shearing rollers.
 9. A sheared plate membersheared by the shearing apparatus as recited in claim
 1. 10. A method ofshearing a plate member, comprising: preparing a shearing apparatusequipped with a pair of shearing rollers, said pair of shearing rollersincluding plural pairs of shearing portions to be engaged with eachother, said plural pairs of shearing portions being formed on peripheralsurfaces of said pair of shearing rollers and extending in an axialdirection of each of said pair of shearing rollers, wherein each of saidpair of shearing rollers is constituted by a plurality of dividedmembers formed by dividing a generally cylindrical member with adividing surface passing an axis of the columnar member and integrallyassembled overlapping with each other with said plurality of dividedmembers shifted in a radial direction thereof, whereby each of said pairof shearing rollers is provided with a plurality of stepped portionseach extending in said axial direction on said peripheral surface andarranged at intervals in a peripheral direction thereof, and wherein arising face and a protruded edge of said stepped portion constitute ashearing face and a shearing edge, respectively; and shearing the platemember by engaging said plural pairs of shearing portions in a statethat the plate member is pinched by and between said pair of shearingrollers rotating in opposite directions.
 11. The method of shearing aplate member as recited in claim 10, wherein the plate member isprovided with one of a groove and a ridge extending in a movingdirection of the plate member on at least one of surfaces of the platemember, wherein one of said pair of shearing rollers disposed at a sideof one of the groove and the ridge of the plate member is provided withone of a ridge and a groove at peripheral surfaces of said one of saidpair of shearing rollers, and wherein one of said ridge and said grooveof said one of said pair of shearing rollers extends in acircumferential direction thereof so as to be engaged with one of saidgroove and said ridge of the plate member.
 12. The method of shearing aplate member as recited in claim 11, wherein one of said ridge and saidgroove of said one of said pair of shearing rollers extends to ashearing face of said shearing portion.
 13. The method of shearing aplate member as recited in claim 10, wherein a thickness of the platemember is 0.15 mm or less.
 14. The method of shearing a plate member asrecited in claim 10, wherein at least a portion of a shearing face neara shearing edge of said shearing portion of at least one of said pair ofshearing rollers is curved toward said shearing edge.
 15. The method ofshearing a plate member as recited in claim 10, wherein the plate memberis fed to said pair of shearing rollers by a feeding apparatus disposedat an inlet side of said pair of shearing rollers.
 16. The method ofshearing a plate member as recited in claim 10, wherein a sheared platemember is forwarded by a forwarding apparatus disposed at an outlet sideof said pair of shearing rollers.
 17. The method of shearing a platemember as recited in claim 10, wherein a sheared plate member istransferred to a stacker by a transferring apparatus disposed at anoutlet side of said pair of shearing rollers.
 18. A sheared plate memberobtained by shearing a plate member by a method as recited in claim 10.